BURY St Edmunds grabbed two late tries to put the gloss on victory in an evenly-fought match-up at Westcliff.
Just five points separated the sides at the break, but it was the visitors who made the telling contribution in the second half.
The visitors were first to open their account with a penalty from Kodie Drury- Hawkins after a high tackle and they increased their lead with a converted try from William Affleck. Westcliff enjoyed plenty of possession in an attritional first half and were rewarded with a try from Ewan Binneman.
Bury increased their lead with winger Kieran Meikle outstripping the defence, and Drury- Hawkins adding the conversion. Unbowed, Westcliff rolled into the Bury 22 and inspirational second-row James Scogings was able to crash over, with Bannister's conversion cutting the gap to five points at half time.
The sides stayed evenlymatched during the third quarter, until Bury went further ahead with a try from Matt Bursey, after sustained Westcliff pressure came to nothing as a result of resolute defence.
With time fast running out, a Bannister penalty brought Westcliff to within seven points as they chased the bonus point.
However, Bury showed tactical nous in the dying stages with Ben Leng and Ciaran Leeson scoring late converted tries.
The first came through a smart break as quick hands set up Leng to go in under the posts, before Leeson gathered a Drury-Hawkins chip to charge over and leave Westcliff dismayed.
